Peacock!

The symbol of princes, marquises, generals, and ministers of Huyi.

Therefore, this sword definitely did not belong to an ordinary person.

Bai Yin: “So that person is very likely someone from Huyi’s imperial family? Perhaps a noble.”

Jingrong: “Exactly.”

Bai Yin’s heart was filled with confusion.

He then took the sword over and examined it again under the candlelight.

Indeed, it was imprinted with a peacock.

It was branded on with flowing silver. If not in a place with light, it would be nearly impossible to see anything on it.

It was precisely because this sword was so extraordinary that Lian Que had loved it so much back then. A’Jin had expended great effort to obtain the sword and gifted it to him.

Bai Yin gazed at the sword blade, murmuring softly: “That person… who exactly is he?”

…

In a modest-sized residence, only a single lamp was lit in the courtyard.

Deep in the night, heavy snow fell continuously without pause.

The cold wind whistled, swirling through this courtyard with a rather desolate feeling.

Inside the tightly closed room, a sliver of light flickered. After a short while, someone pushed open the door from inside.

A young woman came out carrying a wooden basin.

After coming out, she gently closed the door again.

What she carried in her hands was a basin of water.

A basin of bloody water!

In the basin was also draped a blood-stained towel.

The blood color was chilling.

She then hurried to the back courtyard.

At this moment, not far from the gate, a dark-colored carriage arrived at the entrance. Driving the horses was a guard dressed in black.

The horses suddenly neighed.

Breaking the peaceful silence of the night.

Once the carriage stopped, the guard dismounted and respectfully said to the person seated inside the carriage: “Master, we’ve arrived.”

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a person emerged.

This person wore a black cloak with a hood.

Their entire face was buried in darkness.

The guard pushed open the gate of the residence and stood to one side. The mysterious man took the lead entering, walking along the lamplight in the courtyard to the tightly closed room.

The person inside seemed to know someone had arrived. They promptly opened the door and respectfully called out “Master.”

The arrival responded with an “Mm!”

Then entered the door.

Removing the cloak from their body, they handed it to someone nearby, also revealing that somewhat aged and stern countenance.

This person was the Marquis of Nanguo!

He instructed those nearby: “You may leave first.”

“Yes!”

After the others left, they closed the door.

The Marquis of Nanguo walked lightly to the inner chamber. On the bed inside lay Lian Que.

His face was deathly pale, his forehead covered with beads of sweat.

His upper body was bare, his arm wrapped in thick bandages.

He hadn’t expected that the sword strike Bai Yin had inflicted on him would be so severe, cutting straight down to the bone.

Had he been a moment later, he might have lost his life.

But it could also be considered even now!

At this moment, he seemed to still be dreaming. Both hands tightly clutched the bedsheet, his body swaying slightly, his brows deeply furrowed.

His mouth continuously called out: “A’Jin, A’Jin…”

The Marquis of Nanguo sat at the bedside, hearing him call out the name of his nephew A’Jin.

After all these years had passed, he had always kept him in his heart.

Never forgotten.

That kind of longing was absolutely no less than the Marquis of Nanguo’s own feelings of missing his sister and nephew.

“Lian Que? Wake up.”

Lian Que didn’t wake, still remaining in his dream. In the dream, he seemed to see A’Jin—that blurred yet familiar figure was right before his eyes, yet no matter what, he couldn’t see the other’s appearance clearly, nor could he touch him.

That feeling was unbearably painful.

“Lian Que?”

He faintly heard a voice.

Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the Marquis of Nanguo sitting at his bedside.

“My lord?” Two words of mild surprise emerged from his parched, pale lips.

He was about to prop himself up to get out of bed.

But the Marquis of Nanguo stopped him: “Rest well.”

“Why has my lord come?”

“I heard you were injured.”

“It’s only a minor injury.” He pressed his bandaged arm.

If it were a minor injury, with his physical condition, he could completely endure it. He wouldn’t be lying in bed like this at all.

The Marquis of Nanguo took out medicine he had brought from his sleeve and placed it at the bedside: “Remember to apply this wound medicine when you change the dressing.”

“Thank you, my lord. It’s my incompetence—I failed to investigate Miss Ji’s true identity and instead alerted them.”

“There are always unexpected circumstances in everything. You need not blame yourself.”

Lian Que: “Previously, because of the matter at the inn, a misunderstanding arose between us. One of them struck at me with killing intent. If I hadn’t taken someone hostage, I would probably already be separated from my head by now.”

“You’ve had it difficult.”

“Serving my lord, I spare no effort.” Lian Que immediately added, “However, these past few days, this subordinate has also discovered some other information.”

“What?”

“It turns out the reason they agreed to help Heir Apparent Cheng of the Marquis of Pingyang’s residence investigate the case is because they made a deal with each other.” Lian Que paused slightly, then continued, “Because they need to find someone, they must go to the Ministry of Finance. Heir Apparent Cheng agreed to help them, so they must agree to solve this case that’s been causing such a huge uproar.”

Hmm?

The Marquis of Nanguo was puzzled: “So they came to Huyi to find someone? Do you know who they’re looking for?”

Lian Que said regretfully: “I didn’t find out. At that time, this subordinate had already been discovered.”

The Marquis of Nanguo’s expression grew somber as he slowly stood up, turned his back, walked two steps, sighed, and said: “They’re risking danger to come to Huyi to find someone. Clearly, that person must be very important. But why do they need to go to the Ministry of Finance to search for them?”

Pondering softly.

But Lian Que still heard him and picked up the thread, analyzing: “Could it be that they themselves don’t know who exactly the person they’re looking for is, which is why they have no choice but to search at the Ministry of Finance?”

The Marquis of Nanguo looked back at him: “Your speculation isn’t without reason. It’s just—who exactly is the person they’re looking for?”

“This subordinate will continue investigating tomorrow.”

“No need. Right now, what’s most important is that you heal your injury properly.”

“But…”

“This matter isn’t urgent.”

Lian Que knew the marquis was only concerned about his injury. He lowered his gaze, but suddenly wondered aloud: “Actually, my lord, could it be that we’ve gotten everything wrong?”

The Marquis of Nanguo was somewhat puzzled by his words: “Wrong in what way?”

“My lord feels that Miss Ji resembles the late empress. Perhaps it’s only because you miss the late empress too much.”

Yes!

He did miss her.

But—the Marquis of Nanguo said: “Whether it’s true or false, I haven’t reached the point of confusion. I understand in my heart and won’t act rashly! In any case, the two cases in the city haven’t been solved yet, and with her still needing to find someone, she won’t leave the capital for the time being. I’ll send people to investigate her identity more thoroughly. When necessary, I’ll go personally.”

Personally!

Lian Que worried and immediately said: “But right now Miss Ji is helping Heir Apparent Cheng handle the case, which means she’s involved in government affairs. Yet my lord, you’ve always stayed far from the court, never interfering in anything, precisely to hide your capabilities. If you approach Miss Ji at this time, would it not be somewhat inappropriate? What if…”

Before he could finish—

The Marquis of Nanguo: “I have my own sense of propriety. You needn’t worry.”

For over twenty years, he had always been extremely cautious, never once arousing even the slightest suspicion from the King of Huyi toward himself. Naturally, he understood moderation.

Lian Que could no longer advise anything further.

“For now, just heal your injury properly. It’s getting late. I cannot linger here too long.”

“This subordinate will see my lord off.”

“No need.” The Marquis of Nanguo stopped him again.

He could only watch him leave.

Upon leaving the door, the guard waiting outside immediately draped the cloak over the Marquis of Nanguo.

After putting on the hood, he hurriedly left this place. The night densely shrouded by snowflakes once again returned to tranquility…